Survey: Blackberry owners chained to work

Is being "always on" with devices like the Blackberry or Treo chipping away at …

Are devices such as Blackberrys and Treos actually chaining Americans to their work instead of liberating them? There has been plenty of speculation on the topic of whether being "always on" is affecting our everyday lives. However, survey data released today from Digital Life America shows that although Americans are split over whether that constant connection is a good thing or not, being constantly connected means more work for many.

In an online survey sample of 1,600 "nationally representative" Americans between June and September of last year, Digital Life America asked respondents whether devices like the Blackberry "chain you to work more than they liberate you." The results were split exactly three ways: a third agreed, a third remained neutral, and a third disagreed. Among just those who own a Blackberry-like device, the results were also almost equally divided, with 34 percent agreeing and 37 percent disagreeing.

Regardless of how users felt, though, survey results showed that those who owned a Blackberry were, in fact, more likely to work long hours than those who didn't. 19 percent of Blackberry-owning survey respondents reportedly worked more than 50 hours a week, compared to only 11 percent of the general population. A higher percentage of Blackberry owners also felt that they didn't have enough personal time in their lives—53 percent, compared to the 40 percent average. Finally, the average household income of Blackberry owners was nearly 50 percent higher than the national average, at about $94,000, indicating that those who own Blackberry-like devices may share some more overachieving (or is that overworking?) personality traits.

"Contrary to shiny happy ads suggesting we do more in less time, in fact, there is evidence to suggest that we simply do more, more of the time," analysts Kaan Yigit and David Ackerman said. "While being 'always on' in a social context is a natural for young people, many of those in the 25-54 age group with families and corporate jobs are struggling with work-life blending. There is a need for the mainstream workplace culture to offer ways to counterbalance." Director of Marketing Strategies Donna Hall spoke with Ars and expanded on why Blackberry owners may feel chained to work. "Many have been given a BlackBerry by their employers. The expectation on the part of the employer is that once they have it they will be accessible at all times. There are no more boundaries or times when they are unreachable, even on vacation," she told us.

Anecdotally, it does appear as if Blackberry owners are chained to work more than the average person, and not all of them enjoy it. One acquaintance of mine had an unusual reaction upon learning that he lost his work-issued Blackberry at a concert: relief. "I hope they don't replace it," he told me. "I can't take that flashing e-mail light any more."